8.11.22: Harris, Pickens, Joint, Watson, Raiders, Herbert

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Harris

Albert Breer thinks the Patriots could trade RB Damien Harris; connects three teams to Roquan Smith

Harris:?Breer, one of the league’s most plugged-in insiders, could see the Patriots?dealing?Harris — if they feel Rhamondre Stevenson has “established himself as a starting-level player.”

• He also thinks a trade could hinge on the readiness of rookie backs Pierre Strong Jr. (fourth-round) and Kevin Harris (sixth-round).

Stevenson:?Stevenson hasn’t generated much buzz in training camp, but flashed starting-caliber talent as a rookie. Across twelve games (two starts), he totaled 729 scrimmage yards (606 rushing, 123 receiving) and 5 scored touchdowns. His fantasy stock would soar if Harris is traded.

Rookies:?Strong Jr. is regarded as an athletic (4.37 40) third-down type, while K. Harris (5-10, 220) offers power.

• Strong is seen as a replacement for James White, who is still recovering from last year’s hip injury.

Compensation:?Breer figures the Patriots would need to get more than a fourth- or fifth-round selection for Harris, as he will probably net that much value as a comp pick if he leaves in free agency next year. The 25-year-old back scored 15 touchdowns last season.

Roquan:?Breer mentions the Broncos, Chargers, and Cowboys as potential landing spots for Smith. Aside from having the cap space to pull off a deal, he thinks the Broncos could use a “heart-and-soul player” like Smith on defense. As for the Chargers, he sees Smith as a scheme fit, and for the Cowboys, he expects Smith would free up Micah Parsons.

Image: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

Pickens

Mark Kaboly: George Pickens has been one of the best WRs I’ve ever seen as a rookie

Details:?While bold, many Steelers reporters have made similar?statements?about Pickens — who has been Pittsburgh’s top receiver in camp thus far.

Dominant:?During a two-minute drill on Wednesday, Pickens caught a?37-yard?deep pass on starting corner Levi Wallace. Then, on the very next play, he made a juggling touchdown catch on a jump ball (also against Wallace).

• The touchdown catch, which involved Pickens tipping the ball to himself, was captured in a?stunning?photograph.

Tomlin:?When asked about Pickens’ heroics, Mike Tomlin told reporters: “I don’t know if anything surprises me… he’s just a really talented guy.”

More Steelers News...

• Mason Rudolph continues to?outperform?Mitchell Trubisky during team drills.
• Rookie QB Kenny Pickett has apparently?settled?in after a poor start to camp.

Image: Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire

Joint

Tyreek Hill and Julio Jones standout during Bucs-Dolphins joint practice

Tyreek:?According to Marcel Louis-Jacques (ESPN), Hill “got?open?at will all day” against the Bucs’ secondary.

Carlton:?When asked about the Hill-Jaylen Waddle duo, Tampa’s top corner Carlton Davis?said: “There’s no other receivers in the league that can do what they do.”

Julio:?The play of the day was made by Jones, who caught a?deep?sideline pass from Tom Brady, despite having Dolphins corner Noah Igbinoghene draped all over him in coverage.

• Jones later?caught?a pass over the middle on All-Pro Xavien Howard.

More Practice Notes...

• Rookie TE Cade Otton and 2021 fourth-round WR Jalen Darden were also?standouts?for Tampa.
• Bucs WR Russell Gage?limped?off the field and did not return.
• DE Emmanuel Ogbah and S Brandon Jones were?defensive standouts?for the Dolphins.

Image: Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire

Watson

The Browns plan to start Deshaun Watson against the Jaguars on Friday

Details:?Watson is?eligible?to play in the preseason, as his current suspension only applies to six regular season games.

Appeal:?The league is appealing for an indefinite suspension, lasting for at least one full year.

• If the NFL wins the appeal before Friday’s kickoff, Watson will be immediately banned from playing in the preseason and all other team activities.
• However, a ruling that results in anything less than a full-year suspension will keep Watson eligible until August 30.

January:?Watson would likely benefit from preseason action, as he has not played in an actual football game since January 3, 2021 — which was 583 days ago.

More Browns News...

• The Browns plan to play most of their starters on Friday.
• The Jaguars are also expected to play their starters — including Trevor Lawrence.

Image: Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire

Raiders

Raiders encouraged by CB Nate Hobbs, effective pass-rush

Hobbs:?Hobbs is?shadowing?Davante Adams in training camp and according to Vincent Bonsignore (Las Vegas Review-Journal) has “more than held his own.”

• On Tuesday, Hobbs?intercepted?a pass intended for Adams and returned it for a touchdown.

Rookie Review:?The Raiders selected Hobbs (out of Illinois) in the fifth round last year. Across 16 games (9 starts) he totaled 74 tackles, 1 interception, and 3 pass deflections. PFF gave him an impressive 79.1 grade.

CB Depth:?Hobbs’ ascension is important, as the Raiders are in rough shape at the position — potential starters Trayvon Mullen Jr., Rock Ya-Sin, and Anthony Averett are all out with injury.

Pass Rush:?Maxx Crosby has been “seemingly unblockable,” while Chandler Jones is beginning to come along after missing a few practices last week. The Raiders are counting on the expensive duo to harass the elite quarterbacks of the AFC West (Mahomes, Herbert, Wilson).

More Raiders News...

• Vic Tafur (The Athletic) thinks the Raiders should?sign?an upgrade at right tackle.
• Tashan Reed (The Athletic) has not seen Derek Carr throw a?single?training camp interception.

Image: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire

Bears

Bears RB Khalil Herbert has been receiving first-team reps

Details:?While backups occasionally get first-team work during camp, Herbert has consistently rotated in with the first unit.

• Earlier this week, Bears reporter Chris Emma?wrote: “It’s clear the Bears believe in Khalil Herbert… I’m expecting there will be more of a share in the backfield alongside David Montgomery.”

Rookie Review:?The Bears selected Herbert (out of Virginia Tech) in the sixth round last year. He totaled 529 scrimmage yards and scored 2 touchdowns on 117 touches as a rookie.

Two Starts:?Herbert made two impressive starts in place of Montgomery last season. In those games, he totaled 197 rushing yards (5.3 ypc), 48 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown.

More Bears News...

• Adam Jahns (The Athletic)?writes?that Justin Fields “seems to be stacking more good throws and moments in camp.”
• Rookie S Jaquan Brisker has apparently been the team’s?top-performing?rookie.

Image: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire

More News

• Dolphins?RB Myles Gaskin is on the roster bubble
• Bengals?activated RT La'el Collins off active/NFI
• Broncos?RB Melvin Gordon (foot) not practicing
• Eagles?WR DeVonta Smith (groin) continues to miss practice
• Saints?activated DE Marcus Davenport (amputated finger) off active/PUP
• Jameson Williams?to wear Stafford's No. 9 in Detroit